A framework for improving user interfaces, and menu systems in particular, is described herein. In one embodiment, a search bar is introduced to the user interface in addition to, or to the exclusion of, menu system components. By reducing or eliminating the need for a persistent menu system UI, screen real-estate is made available for other content displayed by the application. In one embodiment, a user desiring to access functionality exposed by the application enters search text into the search bar. A list of search results is displayed, the list including actions—pieces of functionality exposed by the application—and/or traditional menu system components including menus, context menus, toolbars, pop-ups, widgets, buttons, and the like.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: providing a user interface in which a visual menu system is not displayed in an initial presentation, the user interface displaying non-menu system content; receiving selection of non-menu system content displayed by the user interface; in response to receiving the selection, displaying a formatting search bar user interface component that permits formatting the selected non-menu system content; receiving a series of character inputs from the search bar user interface component; based on the received series of character inputs, displaying a list of actions that may be performed to permit formatting the selected non-menu system content; receiving a selected one of the list of actions; and invoking the selected action.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the list of actions comprises an action and an action formatting parameter.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein invoking the selected action includes displaying a menu system user interface component associated with the selected action.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the selection of the one of the list of actions and invoking the selected action comprise receiving and executing an action based on a user interaction with the displayed menu system.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the selected non-menu system content comprises a user interface component including at least one of a spreadsheet cell, a spreadsheet column, or a range of text.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , wherein the displayed menu system comprises at least one of a toolbar, a button, or a widget.
7. The computer implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the search bar user interface component is displayed in response to a user selection of the user interface component.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , wherein the list of actions is further determined based on the selected user interface component.
9. A computing apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configures the apparatus to: provide a user interface in which a visual menu system is not displayed in an initial presentation, the user interface displaying non-menu system content; receive selection of non-menu system content displayed by the user interface; in response to receiving the selection, display a formatting search bar user interface component that permits formatting the selected non-menu system content, receive a series of character inputs from the search bar user interface component, based on the received series of character inputs, display a list of actions that may be performed to permit formatting the selected non-menu system content; display a list of actions, wherein the list of actions is determined based on the received series of character inputs, receive a selected one of the list of actions, and invoke the selected action.
10. The computing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein invoking the one of the list of actions includes displaying a menu system user interface component associated with the selected one of the list of actions.
11. The computing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein receiving the selection of the one of the list of actions and invoking the one of the list of actions comprise receiving and executing an action based on a user interaction with one of the list actions.
12. The computing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each of the list of actions is associated with a user interface component comprising at least one of a menu, a dialog box, or a widget.
13. The computing apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the search bar user interface component is displayed in response to a user selection of selected non-menu system content comprising a user interface component.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the computer to: provide a user interface in which a visual menu system is not displayed in an initial presentation, the user interface displaying non-menu system content; receive selection of non-menu system content displayed by the user interface; in response to receiving the selection, display a search bar user interface component that permits performing actions on the selected non-menu system content, receive a series of character inputs from the search bar user interface component; display a list of actions that may be performed on the selected non-menu system content, wherein the list of actions is determined based on the received series of character inputs; receive a selected one of the list of actions; and invoke the selected action.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein invoking the one of the list of actions includes displaying a menu system user interface component associated with the selected one of the list of actions.
16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein receiving the selection of the one of the list of actions and invoking the one of the list of actions comprise receiving and executing an action based on a user interaction with one of the list of actions.
17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the search bar user interface component is displayed in response to a user selection of selected non-menu system content comprising a user interface component.
18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17 , wherein the list of actions is further determined based on the selected user interface component.
19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein determining the list of actions is based on a last used indication.
20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein determining the list of actions is based on a most frequently used indication.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
November 17, 2015
October 16, 2018
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